Lianne+and+Felix

PROJECT:  Vitamin C analysis

Background Information -

Ascorbic acid (or vitamin C) is a water-soluble vitamin, and is an essential nutrient for human beings. This means they cannot be synthesized in adequate amounts by our own body, and thus must be consumed from a food source. Human beings are unique from mammals in the fact that we require external sources of ascorbic acid, while most mammals can produce enough of their own to survive.

Vitamin C forms collagen in bones, cartilage, muscle, blood vessels, and aids in the absorption of iron (which is also essential to nearly all organisms on Earth). There are plenty of sources of vitamin C; fruits (especially citric fruits) and vegetables (especially broccoli and brussels sprouts) are great ways to get it.

References: //Vitamin c (ascorbic acid)//. (2010, February 1). Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vitamin-c/NS_patient-vitaminc  --

Here are the recommended daily allowances for Vitamin C

References: Kim, B. (2008, February 26). //Healthy foods that contain vitamin c//. Retrieved from http://drbenkim.com/nutrient-vitaminc.html

Here is the procedure given to us by Mrs. Lightfoot that we will use for the ascorbic acid analysis. It will be done under the guidance of Dr. James Tong from UNB.



This is the experiment preparation: Equipment
 * 50 mL burette and stand
 * 250 mL volumetric flasks, several, not necessarily dry
 * short stem funnels, several
 * 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask, not necessarily dry
 * 10 and/or 25 mL pipettes
 * weighing bottles, no lid, dry
 * bulk balance, 0.01 mg readability
 * analytical balance, 0.1 mg readability
 * mortar and pestle, dry

Reagents
 * iodine solid, sublimed
 * potassium iodide, analytical reagent
 * L-ascorbic acid, primary standard
 * starch solution, 1%
 * dry ice, optional for air elimination
 * distilled water

Safety information for iodine (< 1% solution), potassium iodide (2% solution), ascorbic acid (neat solid) based on MSDS Judgment
 * formula
 * formula weight
 * cas #
 * concentration (% w/v)
 * physical appearance
 * odour
 * flammability
 * cause combustible to burn
 * acutely toxic (LD50 < 150 mg/Kg)
 * carcenogenic
 * corrosive
 * fatal absorption through skin
 * cause irreversible eye injury
 * harmful vapours
 * wear gloves in addition to PPE
 * work inside fumehood